Scripture:  1 Peter 2:18-25

18Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Observations:

No love of slavery here.  But in thinking about where I am under authority:

Be in under your master with respect — to the good and unjust.

Do this without sinning.

Do this following the example of Jesus, our Lord, our Saviour, our Shepherd who suffered for our sins and brings our healing through His suffering.  vs. 21-25

Application:

No love of slavery here.

To bring this text into today we must think in the realm of employee / employer relations.  How to be holy in that setting?  In our free market we have much more freedom to just leave and find new work if we are being treated badly.  Often though people feel locked in by their situation and finances.

But this remains:  Can I persist in doing good when I am being treated unjustly?

See the example of Jesus.  Experience and reflect on His mercy toward you.

Prayer:

Thank you Heavenly Father for extending so much mercy towards me.  Help me persist in doing good even when there seems to be no pay off.  Help us persist in doing good even in the face of injustice.  May the glory of Jesus and His provision of healing for our hearts in such an unjust world transform our souls.  AMEN.